GOLF: Though the Irish staging of the Ryder Cup is still more than four years away, it already looks set to deliver a record dividend for charity. The beneficiaries will be the Links Golfing Society, which has distributed €3.5 million over the last five years.

Cecil Whelan, the indefatigable secretary of the Links, was hoping to receive 10 corporate hospitality badges for the 2006 staging from the European Tour which he would then auction for charity. Instead, he received a letter yesterday promising a total of 90.

It came from Ryder Cup director Richard Hills on behalf of the tour.

"It's a wonderful gesture," said Whelan yesterday. "With raffles and auctions these badges could realise as much as €500,000. Either way, it seems certain to become the most successful enterprise in the 37-year history of our society."

When the Ryder Cup was staged at Valderrama in 1997, a day's corporate hospitality badge cost £500 (€635). An ever-increasing demand, however, along with inflationary factors, means that badges for the 2006 staging at The K Club are expected to be worth up to €2,540.

Compliments of the Tour, the Links Society will be supplied with a fully-equipped chalet at The K Club and 30 corporate hospitality badges for each of the three days of the tournament. The badge will cover entrance, car park, meals and drinks.

"If everything goes according to plan, we could raise sufficient money to buy 15 buses for handicapped people," said Whelan.

But one Links arrangement which hasn't gone to plan is the venue for their final outing of this season. Plans to have it at Royal Dublin on March 21st have had to be revised because of flood damage to the course and buildings.

It is now being held on the familiar terrain of Co Louth GC, Baltray.